In a leaked email, the head of a top boarding school in Wales said relationships "can start at university - not at Ruthin School".

By Alix Culbertson, News Reporter

16:53, UK,Wednesday24January2018

Image:The headmaster of Ruthin School in north Wales has banned pupil relationships

The headmaster of a leading British boarding school has threatened to expel pupils if they have romantic relationships.

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Toby Belfield, head of Ruthin School in north Wales, also said student romances would affect any university references.

In a leaked email to students in their final three years, seen by Sky News, he wrote: "Last year I expelled two students for sexual contact, in school.

"Relationships can start at university - not at Ruthin School.

"I STRONGLY disapprove of any boyfriend/girlfriend relationships - and it will ALWAYS affect any university reference I write... I will put together a list of any student with a boyfriend or girlfriend.

"These students - if in lower sixth form or year 11 - can expect to find new schools in September.

"There are plenty of students that wish to attend Ruthin School without the diversion of romance - and these students can replace those students whose focus is on bf/gf relationships."

The co-educational public school, which ranks 12 in The Times 2017 A-level league tables, was founded in 1284 and charges £34,500 a year.

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Mr Belfield, 45, a Cambridge maths graduate who became head in 2010, has previously criticised "pathetic" children for being ill and female pupils for wearing short skirts, it has been reported.

The school held a sixth-form casino night on Saturday where pupils dressed up, with girls in "little black dresses", according to its website.

Mr Belfield was unavailable to talk to Sky News on Wednesday as he was dining with 72 parents in Hong Kong, the school said. Just under two thirds of the pupils at Ruthin are from overseas.

In an email to parents regarding relationships, seen by Sky News, he said that all students, staff and parents were aware of his "strict views on behaviour and this is one reason why parents choose Ruthin School".

He continued: "Unlike many other schools in the UK, the young people at Ruthin School have exceptionally good behaviour and they are focused on their study and their goal of entering top universities. The students know how proud I am of them.